Paramount+ last night launched its epic new Australian crime drama Last King of the Cross at an underground pleasure palace. The Cross nightclub Maali is a Moroccan-themed series of underground caves that were packed with TV stars, network executives and production people as they all celebrated the first series from Mark Fennessy’s Helium outfit.
Outside on what was an infamous glitter and sleeze strip it looked almost chaotic as invited guests and crowds having gawk were often outnumbered by security who looked like extras from the set of Last King.
Adding to the bedlam outside the venue was a construction team who had blocked off half of Bayswater Road as they constructed one of the final bus shelter instals as part of the QMS City of Sydney Digital Street Furniture Network.
Inside guests were waiting on the stark Maali concrete dancefloor for the evening’s MC Kyle Sandilands. He might be the star turn in Seven’s rebooted Australian Idol, but last night he was helping former employer Paramount/Network 10 launch one of the most expensive TV dramas ever produced in Australia (a reported $40m+).
Kyle Sandilands onstage with Lincoln Younes and the real John Ibrahim
Why Last King of the Cross was acquired by Paramount+
KIIS FM breakfast co-host Sandilands first interviewed Paramount ANZ executive vice president & chief content officer Beverley McGarvey who explained they originally commissioned the series two years ago. “We wanted this series because it was telling an Australian story, and it was very real and authentic. The production values are incredible and Mark Fennessy and his team at Helium have done a great job.
“Streaming has allowed us to tell stories that you might not be able to tell on another platform.”
As part of the crowd continued to chatter during the formalities, Sandilands asked some of the assembled Tongan security team to hush the people down the back. “You know how to do it…the Cross never changes.”
Sandilands also alluded to the show’s success internationally with distribution partner Cineflix revealing recently it had presold the 10-part series in advance of the show’s official launch at MIPCOM 2022 to all Sky territories in Italy, UK, Ireland and Germany.
Spot the real Last King of the Cross
Promo “fluffer” reel sizzles
The host then instructed the crowd to stay still for 90 seconds to watch a sizzle reel, or a “fluffer” as he described it. After the clip compilation, he asked the guests, “Hands up who is also hard after watching that. I should not have worn these tight trousers.”
Sandilands then welcomed to the stage “the man this show is all about…John Ibrahim”. He was also joined by the star who portrays him, Lincoln Younes.
Kyle to John: “I would die for you”
Sandilands, who also works out an office in a former Cross strip club, and Ibrahim see each other daily. If anyone was in doubt about their relationship, they should have tuned into KIIS this week where Sandilands said to Ibrahim, “I would die for you”.
Ibrahim was asked about what he thought of the choice of Younes to portray him. Was he sexy enough? He replied he thought the actor over-trained for the role, looking perhaps just a little too buff.
Younes revealed he met Ibrahim once many years ago during a visit to one of his venues. Several years later he was given a copy of Ibrahim’s autobiography and thought that he’d like to take on the role if it was ever turned into a series.
In prepping Last King of the Cross, the two dined together and Ibrahim took time to show him to show off the family photo album. “It’s an amazing story and I was excited to be able to do it justice,” said Younes.
John Ibrahim and Sarah Budge
At that point of the launch a security guard slipped onstage who whispered to Kyle who then instructed the crowd to orderly evacuate the underground bunker and follow instructions from police and security. The staged evacuation saw guests having to file out of the back entrance of the club into another pleasure palace next door.
It was here that Paramount+ had created a mini-Kings Cross precinct on different floors of the building. Included was a disco experience on the top floor and on another a recreation of famed Darlinghurst Road strip club Porkys complete with poles and two strippers.
Damian Walshe-Howling
Joining hosts McGarvey, Sandilands and Ibrahim were members of the cast led by Younes and co-star Tess Haubrich, plus actors Claude Jabbour, Matt Nable and the always menacing Damian Walshe-Howling. Leading the team from production house Helium were founder Mark Fennessy and his chief executive Therese Hegarty.
Joining McGarvey from Paramount were London-based president of ViacomCBS Networks International Australia, Israel and UK Maria Kyriacou, executive vice president & chief operating & commercial officer Jarrod Villani, chief sales officer Rod Prosser, senior vice president content & programming Daniel Monaghan and head of drama Rick Maier. The TV and streaming platform’s vice president publicity & communications Cat Donovan oversaw her team of PRs who moved into the Cross from their Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne offices. Also in attendance was busy Helium PR Catherine Lavelle.
Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston
Never far from their leader were King Kyle’s MD Bruno Bouchet and Nueva Drinks Co co-founder (and Kyle’s fiancée) Tegan Kynaston.
Network 10 talent out to support the launch included Angela Bishop (who interviewed Kyle Sandilands on the Maali dancefloor) plus Osher Gunsberg and The Project’s Hamish Macdonald.
While Sandilands didn’t front for his radio show Friday morning after the big night, his team who were on hand in the Cross did back up early to the KIIS studios including Pete Deppler, Mayo and newsreader Brooklyn Ross. New EP Pedro was instead at home working, and he co-hosted in Kyle’s absence Friday morning.
Angela Bishop with Kyle Sandilands
Journalists sampling the seedy side of Kings Cross included Mediaweek’s Trent Thomas and Tess Connery, the driving force behind the new entertainment website Chattr, Anita Anabel, Herald Sun’s Jackie Epstein, TV Tonight’s David Knox and Sydney entertainment and style icon Melissa Hoyer.
Top photo: Beverley McGarvey, Lincoln Younes, Maria Kyriacou, Claude Jabbour and Jarrod Villani at the launch of Last King Of The Cross
How to watch Last King of the Cross
The first two episodes of Last King of the Cross are now available on Paramount+. The remaining episodes will then drop weekly.